The driving test also involves the examiner showing you pictures and asking questions from the Highway Code book just like the learner test (theory test). You have to be 18 years old to take this test, but you can book the test as soon as you make the learner licence. During the driving test the examiner will give you directions, which you should follow. During the test, the examiner will also ask you to carry out different exercises. These include a left or right reverse, a turn in the road (3 or 5 point turn), a parallel park, a bay park and possibly an emergency stop.
Throughout the test you should drive in a safe and legal manor. If you drive to a high standard you will pass as long as you do not make more than 12 minor faults or any serious or dangerous faults. The test takes on average 35 minutes, including the questions from the Highway Code book. You can check your knowledge of the requirements for this test at the TIPS FOR THE TEST section of this website.
In order to take the driving test, you should pay a booking fee of €20. The test is conducted from Monday to Friday, the possible test times are 7:45, 8:30, 9:30, 10:15, 11:30, 12:15, 13:00, 13:45, and 14:30. I would recommend to book your test as soon as possible, as availability for test dates could be a few months away!
Once you have passed, you will need to pay €40 to issue your full licence. The licence will be valid for 15 years and then you will have to renew it again. You can renew the full licence till you are 65 years old, and then you will have to go to the hospital to be checked up to renew it every year from then on.